SLR Magic has become famous for their affordable high speed photo lenses in the F/0.95 range. Now they have introduced their first PL cine lens that is not only affordable but also innovative.
Andrew from SLR Magic today presented their new line of cinema lenses to us. The first lens they introduce is the SLR Magic APO Hyperprime Cine 50mm T2.1 lens.
The lens is a serious PL cine lens built from the ground up just like the other lenses they have been introducing for the photo market.
While the general concept of compact prime lenses with an interchangeable mount is known from market leader Zeiss, there is an innovative twist to this PL lens which they also intend to incorporate in other focal lengths:
The SLR Magic APO Hyperprime Cine 50mm T2.1 lens has an inner filter thread that accommodates circular screw-on filters like their very own Vari-ND filter. An honorable mention also to this product which has hard stops and this way avoids the typical unwanted cross effect and can be used more ergonomically.
We think this product looks very promising and we’re looking forward to the rest of their line cine lenses they intend to release in the next years, even though they might seem overly similar to the Zeiss Compact Primes with their interchangeable mount design.
See the video above for more details on pricing and availability.

Last week Emmanuel Pampuri posted a two minute, first look video of a new stabilization device and software called SteadXP. Immediately identified as a ‘game changer’ the footage and video was obviously promotional in nature, but nonetheless impressive.

In a new marketing effort Apple promotes Final Cut Pro X‘s strengths to win back professionals.
When Apple released their completely reworked editing software Final Cut Pro X in 2011 many users and lots of professionals were upset as the previous Version 7 was abandoned.
You might remember that Final Cut Pro X was often referred to as “iMovie Pro” because it lacked many features required by professionals and offers a more automated approach to editing. Some have switched to a different editing system, others are still using Final Cut Pro 7, but many have remained skeptical.

Adobe is really pushing their Creative Cloud now that CS6 is out since May.
Maybe they didn’t get as many subscriptions as they intended to get, maybe this whole cloud thing is just too new and complicated for people to really pick it up.
Anyway, they’re now really driving the ad mill and throwing out a deal until the end of August. You’ve got to own any previous Adobe CS app (CS3 or higher) and they give you $29.95/month instead of $49.95/month for the whole first year.
Adobe Creative Cloud explained (again):
Basically is the whole Creative Suite (CS6 as the real apps!) with some advanced cloud sharing features (like Apple iCloud), but you’re paying on a monthly basis, just as long as you use the Suite, much like an App Store if you will.
The cloud version of CS6 will set you back $600 $360 (with August deal) a year while the retail version of the whole bundle (“Master Collection“) is $2599 and the lighter, filmmaking oriented package “Production Premium CS6” is $1799. And since we can expect another next version next year anyway that’s a pretty good deal for a serious suite like that.
The downside is that you cannot use the cloud on a month-by-month basis, so you cannot only use it during September while editing and save the money cause you’re out shooting during October.
Maybe Adobe wants to take over the disappointed Final Cut Pro people before Final Cut Pro X really takes off (if ever). It’s a fact that you’ve got to put in more braincells to learn CS6 than any Apple product.
US:
Get started with Adobe Creative Cloud (yearly plan) for $29.95: LINK
For Europe:
Adobe Creative Cloud (yearly plan) for 36,89€ (instead of 61,49€): LINK
Why is it more expensive in Europe? Because we have taxes.
Here are 10 free Premiere Pro CS6 Tutorials Andrew Devis to get you started on Premiere CS6:

When we had our first 1 day no-budget Scarlet-X shoot two weeks ago (see short and field report here) we bumped into one major problem: Backing up the data on this MacBook Pro via FW800 just took too long (30 minutes for a 64GB card) and we ended up not having a second backup (!).
This is a situation you simply can’t have. If that backup dies the work (and money) that went into that shooting day dies with it.
Read on for the solution to this problem:

Sachtler just announced their new, amazingly affordable Ace tripod system.
Why amazingly affordable? So far the Sachtler FSB-6 has been one of your best bets for a small, high quality fluid head system, priced at $1418 (or 1200€). The new Ace offers fluid head goodness at a totally new entry price level of $650 (or 550€)!!!
In our video review we inspect the tripod in detail to see what the Sachtler Ace does and does not offer. The Ace tripod system will be availble by October/November 2011.
If you’re looking for an affordable tripod system for hdslrs and small cameras this one is definitely worth the wait.
“Lightweight thanks to innovative material. For Ace, a glass fiber reinforced composite material was chosen which makes the new 75mm fluid head especially light and offers a comfortable and non-slip surface feel”

User sibero80 organized a group buy of the 35mm lenses by Polish company Samyang.
We’ve reported about the Samyang 35mm 1.4 before. They are among the few lenses for EOS that have the benefits of manual primes: A wide focus throw, solid housing and a manual aperture.
They are built as photo lenses so they have a click-in aperture ring and no gear ring. However at a price of $460 a 35mm prime with an f-stop of 1.4 is pretty unique.